After talking with Catherine's SLP yesterday and having her share what she learned at a recent conference, she and I decided to remove gluten from Catherine's already dairy/soy-free diet. This diet, along with some supplements, has shown improvement in kids on the autistic spectrum (which was the focus of the conference the SLP attended). She said in her undiagnostic opinion that Catherine is not likely to be anywhere on the autistic spectrum but since she does have some developmental delays and behavioral issues, it won't hurt to try this diet. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. There's a book titled "Children with Starving Brains" that's really about autism, but Catherine does have a lot of the characteristics -- GI tract issues, frequent illnesses, inherited auto-immune problem (I have; don't know about her) -- and then there are others she doesn't have, like exposure to heavy metals. By the end of the book, I thought the woman who wrote it was pretty much a nut, but some of it does ring true. The jist is that these kids have so many other issues going on that their digestive tracts don't efficiently process nutrients and their brains are starving. Catherine is 100% a different child on high-protein days so I think, for her, there is something to this.

Anyway, Ian's everything-free chicken nuggets went over like a lead balloon at lunch. As did strawberries and most of a slice of rice bread. Baked sugar snap peas (crunchy, like chips) were a big hit. Mark is even on board with this as long as she doesn't lose weight. We'll give it a try for a couple of weeks ...

:hug: Lesley. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I do hope you see results with the gluten-free diet. I have heard that even in non-Celiacs, some people really do well on this type of diet, so I hope Catherine is one of them.

I'm so sorry the Ian's nuggets didn't go over well. That's the one thing I can usually count on B eating at least a bite or two of. :-( Hopefully Catherine will learn to love some of the new foods you're introducing. :-)

We've questioned trying this for Brayden...but since he lives on so few foods and most contain Gluten, I haven't had the guts to try it. I'm waiting to see the results of his scope but thought about for the same reason (his global delays). Keep us posted on what happens. Brayden loves those snappeas too! Hopefully you can find food that she'll learn to love!

We've questioned trying this for Brayden...but since he lives on so few foods and most contain Gluten, I haven't had the guts to try it. I'm waiting to see the results of his scope but thought about for the same reason (his global delays). Keep us posted on what happens. Brayden loves those snappeas too! Hopefully you can find food that she'll learn to love!

You and I are in the same boat as this describes Curran to a t, right down to the scopes next month.

Curran is not on the spectrum but Iain likely is. I am so glad that you posted about this Lesley as I really had not heard of this before, but high protein days do make sense. Let's face it, kiddos who are/were non-eaters do not get much of anything into them and need protein for brain power.

I may have to go shopping for that book, even though you think she was a nut! lol I know how to do gluten free here as we have researched it for Curran before, but have not tried it fully as he improved on what restrictions we gave him and it was not something we wanted to do with Iain.

Please do keep us updated on how it goes. How long before they say you can anticipate an improvement? I know that gluten free translates into as little as 3 days to 2 weeks for GI improvements. What sort of supplements did she suggest?

**crossing fingers this is the answer**

Good luck with the diet Lesley, I hope you will see some improvement in Catherine.
Owen has now been on the dairy/soy/gluten-free diet for almost 3 weeks and he is doing great, we have seen major improvements. We have an appointment with the nutrionist on monday and I'm hoping to get some ideas for meals and grocery shopping.
I'm slowly starting to find more and more gluten-free foods at the local german grocery stores though, which makes it a little easier on me.

I really hope it goes well for Catherine, and isn't too hard on you! Good luck, and I hope you see great results!

Good Luck with the diet
My friend's son is autistic and her therapist (who also has an autistic child) rec a GF diet
The therapist said she saw a HUGE improvement in her ds going GF

I'm trying zach on a GF/soy/dairy free diet right now
He also doesn't like Ian's chicken nuggets
He was GF in the past and def/ had more energy, seemed more well rested etc

if you haven't already Enjoy life foods would be great to check out
The kids LOVE the cereal (granola), cereal bars, cookies etc
They also love envirokiz cereal and Barabara puff fruit cereal

I haven't found a really good bread/bagel...DO NOT waste your $$ on enjoy life

Good Luck and let us know how it goes

Catherine will eat Food for Life brand brown rice bread sweetened with fruit juice. She'll eat about 1/4-1/2 a slice. It's a very heavy, dry bread, and you can find it in the freezer section at the grocery store. VERY expensive ... about $4.50 for a small loaf.

Thanks!
I'll have to give it a try
This diet isn't cheap

The diet is certainly pricey but well worth it over here. The frozen bread that I buy at the german grocery store is from DS (Dietary Specials), not sure if you guys have it in the states. Owen likes it and eats about 2 slices at one feeding, they are smaller than the regular sandwich bread though.

Good luck with the diet Lesley, I hope you will see some improvement in Catherine.
Owen has now been on the dairy/soy/gluten-free diet for almost 3 weeks and he is doing great, we have seen major improvements. We have an appointment with the nutrionist on monday and I'm hoping to get some ideas for meals and grocery shopping.
I'm slowly starting to find more and more gluten-free foods at the local german grocery stores though, which makes it a little easier on me.

What are some of the improvements you have found in the last few weeks for Owen? I know your poop issues are better, correct?

I just searched online and it seems like you should have it in the states, here is a link to their website. They even have cake and things like that.

http://www.ds4you.com/en/Products

edited, LOL. :oops: ok never mind it's european, I just looked on the site and the company is from italy, sorry.

What are some of the improvements you have found in the last few weeks for Owen? I know your poop issues are better, correct?

He is a lot less whiney, no more unexplainable rashes, his eczema has improved quiet a bit as well. Today he had a bit of runny stools again, so maybe he found something yet again that he's not suppose to eat, it seems to only happen when daddy watches him though, lol. But he might also get sick, I don't know but he ate some jello today and that came partially out the way he ate it. Oh yes that has definitly improved as well, not as much undigested food anymore. And he hasn't woken up in the middle of the night anymore or during his naps with a tummy ache.
Today he woke from his nap very unhappy and we couldn't calm him down, he kept touching his lower tummy and started crying. But I also gave him some red cabbage for lunch, which was something he never had before. We'll see how the week develops.